Upcoming Plant Sale so… Time to Plan what Natives to Buy

More and more people are seeking native plants from their local areas. Here in California, rising water costs and the desire for habitat gardens and the birds, butterflies and beneficial native bees they attract are primary drivers.

Fall and winter are ideal planting times for native plants in California and warmer climates. As a result, plant sales of native plants are beginning. Our local online plant sale, sponsored by the Riverside-San Bernardino Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), takes place October 6^th – 8^th for the public. CNPS members can order one day earlier. Then, curbside pickup will take place on October 16^th– 17th. More details are below in the resource section (Plus info on other regions)

Here is a gallery of photos of the California native plants available in our local sale:

The sale includes at least a dozen different species each of manzanitas, ceanothus (wild lilac) and salvias. Butterfly plants include three types of native milkweed for monarch butterflies, and many other host plants that butterflies require, while plants like buckwheat and fuchsias provide beautiful fall colors.  This year includes more inexpensive 4″ pots for easy planting. Or if you prefer, more than 20 different types of seed packets of California natives are available. Shop early, as availability is limited.

As a garden ambassador for CNPS, I’m glad to answer any questions, though I’ll admit I’m not very familiar with non-California native plants. Email me at [email protected]

Here are some resources (for other regions too):

Riverside/San Bernardino plant sale

This webpage can give you the list of the easy-care native plants, wildflowers, seeds and bulbs that will be available, and will link to the sale when it opens.  Ordering begins Oct 5th for members (10% discount too), and 6th-8th for non-members. No-contact, curbside pickup occurs October 16-17th at The Asistencia at 26930 Barton Road in Redlands. People ordering plants will schedule their pickup times when they checkout online. 

General – Why Natives?

Audubon’s Why Native Plants Matter?

US Forest Service: Why Garden with Native Wildflowers

California

The website Calscape has so much – plug in your zip code to see what plants are recommended, or search the details of a certain plant, or use advanced searches to get a list of butterfly attracting shrubs, etc.

Upcoming plant sales/events: Check out this CNPS webpage for upcoming plant sales, great webinars, etc. Here is the plant sale webpage for the Riverside-San Bernardino chapter, which has the plants, bulbs, seeds, etc for sale. Sale begins Oct 5th for members, 6-8th for non-members.

For Californians, I have many, many articles on favorite plants that have done well in our yard – please go to the plant category on the top of this page and see “Favorite Native Plants

Planting and Watering Handout – how not to kill California native plants!

Midwest/East Region

Your Guide to Native Plants in the Midwest

Here is an article featuring Favorite Midwest/East native plants

Happy Planning and Planting!